Steve Hossack

Doncaster RLFC will be looking to remain on the Wembley trail longer than they did last season when they return Ladbrokes Challenge Cup action this weekend.

Well beaten by Hunslet Hawks at the fourth round stage twelve months ago, the Dons cross swords with University of Gloucestershire All Golds for the first time in the prestigious competition on Sunday.

The game has been switched from the rival League One club’s ground to the Keepmoat Stadium’s No 2 pitch for financial reasons.

“It would have been better had we been playing at the Keepmoat Stadium because it’s a bigger pitch and they’ll be more used to playing on a pitch inside an athletics track than we are, but I’d still prefer to be playing in Doncaster rather than going down there,” said head coach Gary Thornton.

Despite having home advantage, Thornton is still expecting a tough game against an All Golds side who beat fancied Keighley Cougars in the league last weekend.

“It was a terrific win against Keighley and we’ll have to be on our game because they are a big side across the park,” he told The Star.

Thornton will finalise his side tonight but is not expected to make any unforced changes to the side which beat North Wales Crusaders last weekend.

Utility man Kieran Cross, who staked his claim for a regular starting spot when scoring two tries and helping to set two more up on Sunday, is likely to switch from scrum-half to stand-off to replace the injured Jordan Howden with Jack Miller recalled at scum-half.

If, as seems likely, Tom Carr is ruled out, Louis Sheriff will take over his full-back role with Sam Doherty coming in on the wing.